Baa Atoll

Baa Atoll (also known as Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi) is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll (which is 42 km long and 32 km wide and consists of 9 inhabited islands), the Fasdūtherē Atoll (wedged in between the two Maalhosmadulu Atolls and separated from north Maalhosmasdulu Atoll by Hani Kandu or Moresby Channel) and the smaller natural atoll known as Goifulhafehendhu Atoll (Horsburgh Atoll in the Admiralty charts).

Situated on the west of the Maldives atoll chain, it consists of 75 islands of which 13 are inhabited with a population of over 11,000 people. The remaining 57 islands are uninhabited, in addition to eight islands being developed as resorts.

Thulhaadhoo Island is traditionally well known for its lacquerwork handicrafts.

NOTE: Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, Kaafu, etc. are code letters assigned to the present administrative divisions of the Maldives. They are not the proper names of the natural atolls that make up these divisions. Some atolls are divided into two administrative divisions while other divisions are made up of two or more natural atolls. The order followed by the code letters is from North to South, beginning with the first letters of the Thaana alphabet used in Dhivehi. These code letters are not accurate from the geographical and cultural point of view. However, they have become popular among tourists and foreigners in the Maldives who find them easier to pronounce than the true atoll names in Dhivehi, (save a few exceptions, like Ari Atoll).

Kendhoo

Kendhoo (Dhivehi: ކެންދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Baa Atoll, Maldives. It is located in the northern part of the Baa Atoll.

Culture

Traditionally fishery and thatch making is the main occupation and major livelihood of the people of Kendhoo. A significant number of the island’s youths work in resorts. In addition to this, there are people who do construction work and retail business.

History

Kendhoo is famous for its historical and cultural significance. It is said that the island was visited by the Arabian scholar, Abdul Barakaath Yoosuf-al Barbari, also known as Thabreyzgefaanu who is believed to have been responsible for introducing Islam to the Maldives in 1153. While he stayed on the island, he taught Islamic rituals to the islanders and offered daily prayers there. The place where he stood to offer the prayers was marked by building the house named after him.

Education

The island has a higher secondary school which teaches up to grade 12. In the school most of the teachers are local teachers. In addition, the island has a pre-school which is run by Kendhoo Zuvaanunge Gulhun.